Natalie Portman Starring in Ridley Scott Kidnapping Drama

Over the course of the last several years, director Ridley Scott has certainly been keeping himself busy. The 79-year-old filmmaker, responsible for such colossal Oscar-winning titles as Alien and Gladiator, has been the subject of much media attention as he readies the upcoming Alien: Covenant (which he’s directing) and Blade Runner 2049 (which he’s producing). What’s more, Scott has been quoted as of late on everything from a Gladiator sequel idea to a desire to keep his Alien franchise alive forever.

With all of this in the works, there isn’t much more that a Scott fan could ask for at present – but that doesn’t mean there isn’t even more on the way. Never one to back down from a challenge, Scott’s extremely busy schedule (he’s currently committed to produce no fewer than 8 films in 2017 alone) is already set to include his next directorial effort, which will begin production this May in Italy. The film, All the Money in the World is a true-crime kidnapping story that takes place in 1973.

Although the cast for All the Money in the World still hasn’t been confirmed, it’s already sounding like one big name might be attached. According to Deadline, it’s looking like Natalie Portman will be joining the production, a week after Angelina Jolie turned down the same role due to scheduling conflicts. Portman is coming off an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Jackie Onassis in last year’s Jackie, as well as giving birth days before this year’s Oscars ceremony.

Portman’s role in All the Money in the World would be that of Gail Harris, whose son John Paul Getty III was kidnapped and held for a $17 million ransom. The former daughter-in-law of John Paul Getty Sr – one of the richest men in the world at the time of the abduction – Harris faced an uphill battle to convince the oil magnate to pay the ransom that would free his 16-year-old grandson. After being held in a cave in Rome for six months, John Paul Getty III was released when his grandfather relented and paid the ransom – thanks in no small part to the efforts of Gail Harris.

Ridley Scott on the Alien: Covenant set

While a new Ridley Scott film is always exciting news, what this somewhat sudden production of All the Money in the World might mean is that fans of the Alien franchise may have to wait for a follow up to Alien: Covenant. Scott recently stated that the next film in the Alien saga has been written and that he will be ready to film the Covenant sequel in 2018. However, with All the Money in the World now lined up, the question remains whether Scott will try to direct both that film and a new Alien entry, or come to some other arrangement.

In addition to the aforementioned films, Scott was also getting ready to direct an adaptation of Don Winslow’s novel The Cartel. Deadline has also revealed that production on that film will now be pushed back. What all this means then, is that Ridley Scott has a very busy future ahead of him and judging by his recent comments on how much fun he’s having making Alien films, that’s exactly the way he likes it.